Method and apparatus for facilitating inter-network handover

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for facilitating inter-network handover comprises receiving a first network service primitive. The first network service primitive is then mapped to a second network service primitive.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/820,554, filed Jul. 27, 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to wireless communication systems. More particularly, the present invention is related to a method and apparatus for facilitating inter-network handover.

BACKGROUND

The IEEE 802.21 group includes mechanisms and procedures that aid in the execution and management of inter-system handovers. In particular, IEEE 802.21 defines three main services that can be accessed by mobility management (MM) applications in order to aid in the management of handover operations and system discovery and system selection. Among these services are event service (ES), information service (IS) and command service (CS). All these services share an important characteristic in that they are delivered using a common uniform interface with respect to prospective users, regardless of the underlying access technologies that support the communication with respect to the core network.

The delivery of event services and the generation of commands is typically determined by which event is be triggered based on the prevailing characteristics of the underlying technology. These underlying technologies may be 3GPP, 3GPP2 and IEEE-based wireless local area network (WLAN), (e.g., IEEE 802.11 or 802.16).

The IEEE 802.21 specification outlines various triggers and commands that are sent to and received from upper layers. However, the IEEE 802.21 specification does not describe how these events and commands are triggered and generated. There are no procedures or functionality to generate triggers toward upper layers, based on information provided by the 3GPP or 3GPP2 underlying layers. In particular, IEEE 802.21 does not describe how events and commands are triggered and generated when the underlying physical resources are based on 3GPP or 3GPP2 technology. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method for generating these triggers.

SUMMARY

The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for facilitating inter-network handover. The method comprises receiving a first network service primitive. The first network service primitive is then mapped to a second network service primitive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more detailed understanding of the invention may be had from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example and to be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), access point (AP), and wireless local area network (WLAN) AP, configured in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the WTRU and AP/WLAN AP of the wireless communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a mapping model in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for facilitating inter-network handover in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary graphical representation of an IEEE 802.21 command and event service mapping to 3GPP in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exemplary graphical representation of an 802.21 command and event service mapping to 3GPP2 in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

When referred to hereafter, the terminology “wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)” includes but is not limited to a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, or any other type of user device capable of operating in a wireless environment. When referred to hereafter, the terminology “base station” includes but is not limited to a Node-B, a site controller, an access point (AP), or any other type of interfacing device capable of operating in a wireless environment.

The present invention is applicable to any wireless communication system including, but not limited to, IEEE 802 technologies, (e.g., 802.11 baseline, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11j, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.21), cellular standards, (e.g., 3GPP or 3GPP2), and other standardized or proprietary wireless technologies, (e.g., Bluetooth, HIPERLAN/2, and the like).

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless communication system 100 including a WTRU 110, an AP 120, and a WLAN AP 530 configured in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the WLAN AP 530 is connected to a WLAN 540. As shown in FIG. 1, the WTRU 110 is in wireless communication with the AP 120, which is preferably a third generation partnership project (3GPP) access point, and transitioning during a handover to the WLAN AP 130. Although only one WTRU 110, one AP 120, and one WLAN AP 130 are shown in FIG. 1, it should be noted that any number and combination of wireless and wired devices may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram 200 of the WTRU 110 and AP 120/WLAN AP 130 of the wireless communication system 100 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the WTRU 110 is in communication with the AP 120, the WLAN AP 130, or both, and all are configured to facilitate inter-network handover in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the WTRU 110, AP 120, and WLAN AP 130 are configured to map events and commands from one network, (e.g., primitives in a 3GPP system), to events and commands in another network, (e.g., primitives in a WLAN network).

In addition to the components that may be found in a typical WTRU, the WTRU 110 includes a processor 115, a receiver 116, a transmitter 117, and an antenna 118. The processor 115 is configured to facilitate inter-network handover in accordance with the present invention. The receiver 116 and the transmitter 117 are in communication with the processor 115. The antenna 118 is in communication with both the receiver 116 and the transmitter 117 to facilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data.

In addition to the components that may be found in a typical AP, the AP 120 includes a processor 125, a receiver 126, a transmitter 127, and an antenna 128. The processor 115 is configured to facilitate inter-network handover in accordance with the present invention. The receiver 126 and the transmitter 127 are in communication with the processor 125. The antenna 128 is in communication with both the receiver 126 and the transmitter 127 to facilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data.

Similarly, in addition to the components that may be found in a typical WLAN AP, the WLAN AP 130 includes a processor 135, a receiver 136, a transmitter 137, and an antenna 138. The processor 135 is configured to facilitate inter-network handover in accordance with the present invention. The receiver 136 and the transmitter 137 are in communication with the processor 135. The antenna 138 is in communication with both the receiver 136 and the transmitter 137 to facilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a mapping model 300 in accordance with the present invention. The mapping model 300 shows schematically a global system for mobile communication enhanced data rate for global evolution radio access network (GERAN) 310, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) 320, and a long term evolution (LTE) system 330. The GERAN 310 includes a radio resource (RR) protocol layer 311, a logical link control (LLC) protocol layer 312, a general packet radio service mobility management (GMM) protocol layer 313, and a session management (SM) layer 314. The UMTS 320 includes a non access stratum (NAS) layer 321 and an access stratum (AS) layer 322. The LTE system 330 includes an evolved universal terrestrial radio access/evolved-CORE (E-UTRA/E-CORE) layer 331. As shown in FIG. 3, events in the GERAN 310, UMTS 320, and LTE 330 may be mapped into a media independent handover (MIH)—3GPP—service access point (SAP) layer 340. Any relevant primitives then supported by a layer within a specific technology may be mapped to a corresponding counterpart within the 802.21 technology without being first interpreted by other layers.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the services within the different layers of the 3GPP technology may be accessed through the MIH-3GPP-SAP 340. Preferably, the service is delivered using a primitive defined within the 3GPP specifications and mapped to the corresponding 802.21 counterpart within the MIH function. Alternatively, the 3GPP primitive may be mapped through the use of AT commands or using an API.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 400 for facilitating inter-network handover in accordance with the present invention. In step 410, a 3G service primitive is received. The 3G service primitive is then mapped to an IEEE 802.21 primitive or event (step 420). Although the method 400 depicts the mapping of a 3G service primitive to an 802.21 primitive or event, it should be noted that the mapping may also occur in the reverse direction and that the primitives are not limited to 3G service primitives and 802.21 primitives. Table 1 below in an exemplary table depicting the mapping of 3GPP primitives to 802.21 events.

TABLE 1 3GPP 3GPP Service Layer Primitive Descriptions 3GPP Primitive 802.21 Event RR Page received by RR layer GMRR-PAGE Link Parameter Change Successful reception of GRR-DATA Link Parameter data supporting Change specific QoS LLC Peer LLC layer is LL-ESTABLISH Link Up/Link established Parameter Change Peer LLC layer is LL-RELEASE Link Going released Down/Link Parameter Change LLC Layer LL-STATUS Link Down unrecoverable error GMM Station is attached GMMREG-ATACH Link Parameter Change Station is detached GMMREG-DETACH Link Parameter Change SM Data session active SMSM-ACTIVE Link Up/Link Parameter Change Data session is SMSM- Link Down/Link deactivated DEACTIVEATE Parameter Change Data session modified SMSM-MODIFY Link Parameter Change Data session SMSM-STATUS Link Down terminated due to unrecoverable error PDP Context is active SMREG-PDP- Link Up/Handover ACTIVATE Complete/Parameter Change/Handover Complete PDP Context is SMREG-PDP- Link Up/Parameter modified MODIFY Change/Handover Complete PDP Context is SMREG-PDP- Link Going deactivated DEACTIVATE Down/Link Down NAS Station is attached GMMREG-ATACH Parameter Change Station is detached GMMREG-DETACH Parameter Change PDP Context is active SMREG-PDP- Link Up/Handover ACTIVATE Complete/Parameter Change PDP Context is SMREG-PDP- Parameter Change/ modified MODIFY Link Up PDP Context is SMREG-PDP- Link Down/Link deactivated DEACTIVATE Parameter Change Radio Access Bearer is RABMSM- Link Up/Parameter activated for data ACTIVATE Change/Handover transfer Complete Radio Access Bearer is RABMSM- Link Down/Link deactivated for data DEACTIVATE Parameter Change transfer Radio Access Bearer is RABMSM-MODIFY Parameter Change/ modified for data Link Up/Handover transfer Complete Radio Access Bearer RABMSM-STATUS Link Down data transfer error AS Radio Access Bearer RABMAS-RAB- Link Up/Handover has been activated ESTABLISH Complete Radio Access Bearer RABMAS-RAB- Link Down has been released RELEASE AS failure Indication RABMAS-STATUS Link Down Information regarding Information Parameter Change geographical area. Broadcast Notification of paging Paging Request Parameter Change for particular user or terminal Notification for all Notification Parameter Change users Broadcast Notification Notification Parameter Change information for a Indication specific or for many user UE initiated Connection Link Up connection Establishment establishment Network initiated IF Initiated Link Down connection release Connection Release Network initiated IF Side Initiated Link Up/Link Radio Access Bearer Radio Access Bearer Detected Establishment Establishment Network initiated IF Side Initiated Link Down Radio Access Bearer Radio Access Bearer Release Release Indication that the Streamlining Link Going Down connection might be Require Indication aborted unless streamlining is done Location information UE location Parameter Change provided by the information network for a specific UE Connection loss Connection loss Link Down indications indication E- The location of the UE LTE-detached Parameter Change UTRAN/E- is now know by the CORE* network The UE is known to LTE-idle Parameter the network but not Change/Link Down transport channel is established Radio resources have LTE-Active Link Up/Link been established and Handover Complete the UE is able to perform uplink and downlink transport of PDU

FIG. 5 is an exemplary graphical representation of an IEEE 802.21 command and event service mapping to 3GPP 500 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an MIH user 510, an MIH functional layer 520, a mobile network signaling (MNS) layer 530, and a 3GPP access network 540. An MIH-SAP layer exists between the MIH user 510 and the MIH functional layer 520, and the MIH-3GPP-SAP layer exists between the MIH functional layer 520 and the MNS layer 530.

The MNS layer 530 includes an MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer, an 802.21-AT inter-working (IW) function layer, an AT-command interface, and an AT-command-3GPP IWF layer. As shown in FIG. 5, a 3GPP primitive is received at the AT-command-3GPP IWF layer which is in communication with the AT-command interface layer and generates an AT command. The AT command may be received by the 802.21-AT IWF layer where it is translated into a 3GPP primitive as expected by the MIH function. Alternatively, the 3GPP primitive could be received directly from the 3GPP access network 540. Upon receipt of the 3GPP primitive through the MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer, the MIH function 520 maps, or converts, the 3GPP primitive into an 802.21 primitive. Additionally, the MIH function may generate a corresponding media independent primitive toward the MIH user 510. Conversely, an 802.21 primitive is converted into a 3GPP primitive by a similar reverse process. Accordingly, the 3GPP primitive may be translated into an AT command or directly sent to the 3GPP access network, such as through the use of a function call that implements the 3GPP API.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary graphical representation of an IEEE 802.21 command and event service mapping to 3GPP2 600 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 shows an MIH user 610, an MIH functional layer 620, upper layer signaling/point to point protocol (PPP) layer 630, and a 3GPP2 access network 640. An MIH-SAP layer exists between the MIH user 610 and the MIH functional layer 620, and the MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer exists between the MIH functional layer 620 and the upper layer/PPP layer 630.

The upper layer/PPP layer 630 includes an MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer, an 802.21-AT inter-working (IW) function layer, an AT-command interface, and an AT-command-3GPP2 IWF layer. As shown in FIG. 6, a 3GPP2 primitive is received at the AT-command-3GPP2 IWF layer which is in communication with the AT-command interface layer and generates an AT command. The AT command may be received by the 802.21-AT IWF layer where it is translated into a 3GPP2 primitive as expected by the MIH function. Alternatively, the 3GPP2 primitive could be received directly from the 3GPP2 access network 640. Upon receipt of the 3GPP2 primitive through the MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer, the MIH function 620 maps, or converts, the 3GPP2 primitive into an 802.21 primitive. Additionally, the MIH function may generate a corresponding media independent primitive toward the MIH user 610. Conversely, an 802.21 primitive is converted into a 3GPP2 primitive by a similar reverse process. Accordingly, the 3GPP2 primitive may be translated into an AT command or directly sent to the 3GPP2 access network, such as through the use of a function call that implements the 3GPP API.

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention. The methods or flow charts provided in the present invention may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a general purpose computer or a processor. Examples of computer-readable storage mediums include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs).

Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state machine.

A processor in association with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for use in a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU), user equipment (UE), terminal, base station, radio network controller (RNC), or any host computer. The WTRU may be used in conjunction with modules, implemented in hardware and/or software, such as a camera, a video camera module, a videophone, a speakerphone, a vibration device, a speaker, a microphone, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, a keyboard, a Bluetooth® module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, and/or any wireless local area network (WLAN) module. 

1. A method for facilitating inter-network handover, the method comprising: receiving a first network service primitive; and mapping the first network service primitive to a second network service primitive.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network service primitive is a third generation partnership project (3GPP) service primitive and the second network service primitive is an institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.21 primitive.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein a media independent handover (MIH) function maps the 3GPP service primitive to the IEEE 802.21 primitive.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the 3GPP service primitive includes at least one of: a radio resource (RR) service primitive, a mobility management (MM) service primitive, a session management (SM) service primitive, a long term evolution (LTE) service primitive, a system architecture (SAE) service primitive, a logical link control (LLC) service primitive, an access stratum (AS) service primitive, and a non access stratum (NAS) service primitive.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising triggering a media independent handover (MIH) event upon mapping the IEEE 802.21 primitive.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network service primitive is a 3GPP2 service primitive and the second network service primitive is an IEEE 802.21 primitive.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein an MIH function maps the 3GPP2 service primitive to the IEEE 802.21 primitive.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network service primitive is an IEEE 802.21 primitive and the second network service primitive is a 3GPP service primitive.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network service primitive is an IEEE 802.21 primitive and the second network service primitive is a 3GPP2 service primitive.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein AT commands are used to perform the step of mapping.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein an MIH function maps the first service primitive to the second network service primitive.
 12. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to facilitate inter-network handover, the WTRU comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; and a processor in communication with the receiver and the transmitter, the processor configured to receive a first network service primitive and map the first network service primitive to a second network service primitive.
 13. The WTRU of claim 12 wherein an MIH function maps the first network service primitive to the second network service primitive.
 14. The WTRU of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to trigger an MIH event.
 15. The WTRU of claim 12, further comprising a mobile network signaling (MNS) layer resident in the processor.
 16. The WTRU of claim 14 wherein the MNS layer includes an AT-Command-3GPP interworking function (IWF), an AT-Command interface in communication with the AT-Command-3GPP IWF, and an IEEE 802.21-AT IWF in communication with the AT-Command interface and an MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer.
 17. The WTRU of claim 16 wherein the AT-Command-3GPP IWF is configured to receive a 3GPP service primitive and communicate with the AT-Command interface.
 18. The WTRU of claim 17 wherein the AT-Command interface is configured to generate an AT command and communicate it to the 802.21-AT IWF.
 19. The WTRU of claim 18 wherein the 802.21-AT IWF is configured to receive the AT Command and generate an 802.21 primitive through the MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer.
 20. The WTRU of claim 17 wherein the AT-Command interface is configured to receive an AT command from the 802.21-AT IWF.
 21. The WTRU of claim 12, further comprising an upper layer signaling/point to point protocol (PPP) layer.
 22. The WTRU of claim 21 wherein the upper layer signaling/PPP layer includes an AT-Command-3GPP2 IWF, an AT-Command interface in communication with the AT-Command-3GPP2 IWF, and an IEEE 802.21-AT IWF in communication with the AT-Command interface and an MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer.
 23. The WTRU of claim 22 wherein the AT-Command-3GPP2 IWF is configured to receive a 3GPP2 service primitive and communicate with the AT-Command interface.
 24. The WTRU of claim 23 wherein the AT-Command interface is configured to generate an AT command and communicate it to the 802.21-AT IWF.
 25. The WTRU of claim 24 wherein the 802.21-AT IWF is configured to receive the AT Command and generate an 802.21 primitive through the MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer.
 26. The WTRU of claim 23 wherein the AT-Command interface is configured to receive an AT command from the 802.21-AT IWF.
 27. An integrated circuit (IC) configured to facilitate inter-network handover, the WTRU comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; and a processor in communication with the receiver and the transmitter, the processor configured to receive a first network service primitive and map the first network service primitive to a second network service primitive.
 28. The IC of claim 27 wherein an MIH function maps the first network service primitive to the second network service primitive.
 29. The IC of claim 27 wherein the processor is further configured to trigger an MIH event.
 30. The IC of claim 27, further comprising a mobile network signaling (MNS) layer resident in the processor.
 31. The IC of claim 30 wherein the MNS layer includes an AT-Command-3GPP interworking function (IWF), an AT-Command interface in communication with the AT-Command-3GPP IWF, and an IEEE 802.21-AT IWF in communication with the AT-Command interface and an MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer.
 32. The IC of claim 31 wherein the AT-Command-3GPP IWF is configured to receive a 3GPP service primitive and communicate with the AT-Command interface.
 33. The IC of claim 32 wherein the AT-Command interface is configured to generate an AT command and communicate it to the 802.21-AT IWF.
 34. The IC of claim 33 wherein the 802.21-AT IWF is configured to receive the AT Command and generate an 802.21 primitive through the MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer.
 35. The IC of claim 32 wherein the AT-Command interface is configured to receive an AT command from the 802.21-AT IWF.
 36. The IC of claim 27, further comprising an upper layer signaling/point to point protocol (PPP) layer.
 37. The IC of claim 36 wherein the upper layer signaling/PPP layer includes an AT-Command-3GPP2 IWF, an AT-Command interface in communication with the AT-Command-3GPP2 IWF, and an IEEE 802.21-AT IWF in communication with the AT-Command interface and an MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer.
 38. The IC of claim 37 wherein the AT-Command-3GPP2 IWF is configured to receive a 3GPP2 service primitive and communicate with the AT-Command interface.
 39. The IC of claim 38 wherein the AT-Command interface is configured to generate an AT command and communicate it to the 802.21-AT IWF.
 40. The IC of claim 39 wherein the 802.21-AT IWF is configured to receive the AT Command and generate an 802.21 primitive through the MIH-3GLINK-SAP layer.
 41. The IC of claim 38 wherein the AT-Command interface is configured to receive an AT command from the 802.21-AT IWF.
 42. A WTRU configured to facilitate inter-network handover, the WTRU comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; and a processor in communication with the receiver and the transmitter, the processor including an MIH function, wherein the MIH function is configured to receive a 3GPP service primitive and map the 3GPP service primitive into an IEEE 802.21 primitive.
 43. A WTRU configured to facilitate inter-network handover, the WTRU comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; and a processor in communication with the receiver and the transmitter, the processor including an MIH function, wherein the MIH function is configured to receive a 3GPP2 service primitive and map the 3GPP2 service primitive into an IEEE 802.21 primitive. 